May I Have Your Attention Please?

By: James Corden

Narrated by: James Corden

Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

As far back as he can remember James Corden has only ever wanted to be in one place: in front of you, doing something to make you laugh, cry, shout, or giggle uncontrollably. At the age of 4, he grandstanded throughout his baby sister’s christening, standing on a chair in front of the whole congregation, pulling faces and cracking everyone up. Despite himself, the vicar was impressed. And from then on he couldn’t get enough of the spotlight, even when it always seemed to avoid him. Throughout his teens, he and his Dad trudged up and down towards London, getting closer and closer to landing a gig, only to be told ‘No’ at the last stage. But he never gave up and soon found his whole life turned upside down and inside out by his experience as one Alan Bennett’s History Boys. From that moment forth, he’s never looked back.

May I Have Your Attention Please? is the warm, cheeky, surprisingly honest and hilarious story of one of our most popular comedy talents. From his antics as one of the founding players of his high-school’s first ever rugby team to gaining recognition in the West End, to nationwide fame as the loveably loud Smithy in the award-winning Gavin and Stacey, this is a tenderly told story of what it’s like to try, try and try again and - happily - get there in the end.

©2011 James Corden (P)2011 Random House Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A funny, interesting & genuine account’ 5 stars." (Daily Express)

Deeply moving at times

I wondered about reading an autobiography of someone so young but surprised myself by quite enjoying it in the end.

Honest, funny and well written

If you are a fan of Carpool Karaoke then you already know James is original and funny. This books takes you on a journey of how he became that funny guy as well as a Broadway actor. So much more to his talents then singing.

Clever and enjoyable

This was a clever and enjoyable read! A book very well written. The beginning and the end tied together beautifully. Now, I will be on the lookout for another one of James’ books as I’m looking to be more updated from 2011.

I Love James, so I am dissapointed

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Oddly enough, the narrator. I love boigraphies read by the author and I find James timing impecable and hillarious, usually. Is not the case with this book. He reads in a monotone, matter-of-fact way the detracts from what should be funny anecdotes.

What other book might you compare May I Have Your Attention Please? to and why?

Wildflower, by Drew Barrymore. Because is meant to be a fun, entertaining biography of a very likable spontaneus person, read by someone who, you'd think, would know how to narrate their own story and it dissapoints on both counts :narrator and story.

Have you listened to any of James Corden’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

James shoud learn things by heart before he "says them out loud". You can feel he is "reading" the book because is missing his usual spontaneity and timing .

Was May I Have Your Attention Please? worth the listening time?

Sadly no, and I love James.

Any additional comments?

I know James sees himslef as a "musical actor" ( even more so now he has told me about 100 times on this book) but the truth is people see him as comedian and host. His biography being about how "serious" he always was , about performing and being musicly inclined, from early childhood, with very little funny parts, is not exactly what I was expecting.

James will make you smile on even the most dreary days

It's been a pleasure to have James accompany me on my otherwise quite dull walks to and from university. If you're one who's afraid of laughing in public - this book is not for you. After a while I gave up on hiding my smile that pressed on as I listened to James' stories, and received many confused and sometimes annoyed glances from the rushed Londoners who passed by me. Totally worth it. He's an hilarious but most of all lovely man who I didn't know all that much about, I'd seen him do Carpool Karaoke on his show, but as he told his life story I realised that I've seen him so many times before that. Made me think about how much work actors go through before they're actually discovered, and James has certainly worked hard. If he ever reads these reviews, I'd just like to say thank you. I enjoyed it from start to finish, and learned a lot, not only about you, but about life as well.

Didn't know him from a bar of soap now a fan

If you could sum up May I Have Your Attention Please? in three words, what would they be?

funny insightful honest

What was one of the most memorable moments of May I Have Your Attention Please??

James Corden reads with such emotion it feels like the first time he has talked about his life and feelings raw, funny, embarrassing, self satisfying yet humble and down to earth really surprised by how good it was

Which scene was your favorite?

the chapters, liked the recommended to accompany at the start of each

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

James Corden is James Corden The guy off the telly!!

Any additional comments?

good book better than i was expecting

Seriously good book

I swear hearing this book was really enjoyable I think it was very well thought out it had moments of happiness and great sadness it was amazingly surprising at times and also predictable but never had me board I was very pulled by the emotion he betrayed in his story

Love Him Even More

Yes, James Cordon is hilariously funny, yet he is also kind, sensitive and dedicated. This book is gut honest as James shows his strengths, weaknesses failures and successes. I hoped always hoped that he had an opportunity to act on Broadway. There is no ego in his story and it is clear that he was and is ready and willing to pay his dues. From the first time I heard him sing, I have not been able to get enough of James Cordon. He is talented in everything he does and he can do it all.

Not funny literally his life story

I hope he writes another book that is a comedy plus uplifting book. I think he would be great at that. I'm a big fan of Corden... it's just this book is literally a story of him auditioning meeting this celeb and that celeb.

Hilarious yet honest and grounded

I chose this because James Corden's voice is lovely to listen to and he's quite funny and I'm so glad I did. This book was both exactly what I expected (lots of funny stories of growing up and his rise to fame) but so much better than I could have known (memories of his struggles in school and honest mistakes) and I'm so happy I got to listen to him read it himself.